SHORTAGE OF ONIONS

SHORTAGE OF ONIONS

A crisis developed this week which clearly shows that the Seychelles economy may be in more trouble than we think. People who voted for the SPPF in particular, complained that President James Michel is not fulfilling his election promises as acute shortages of essential goods persist unabated in the shops. President Michel promised during his election campaign that food shortages would be a thing of the past as he embarks on his programme of “economic reform” which he stated would reverse the current economic trend.

However, things have seriously deteriorated after he took office, soon after being elected for the first time as the third President in the July polls. Onions is a commodity that is used everyday by Seychellois families. Hotels and restaurants use this ingredient daily too. The implication and impact of a shortage not only affects the tourism establishments but also the ordinary Seychellois family as well. It is now common for one commodity or another to run out totally in the country. However, with proper planning, preparation but most of all, availability of foreign exchange, these shortages could be avoided.

There was also a difficulty to get ham, beef burgers, condensed milk and beef from the local shops this week. Ham is generally produced by SMB and it seems that shortage in local meat products are becoming a common occurrence. The population is waiting with bated breath and bracing themselves for more acute shortages of food and other commodities in the coming months. “Ser Sang” (Tighten Belt) even tighter than before may soon become a term of common usage once more as it was during the reign of President Michel’s predecessor. You have been WARNED!!!!